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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Governor Culver Welcomes Nobel Women To Des Moines

Members of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative/Women arrive in Iowa for their National Conference

(DES MOINES)- Today, Governor Culver extended a warm welcome to the NOBEL/Women. These legislators are here in Des Moines for their 2008 National Conference. NOBEL/Women is a non-profit, non-partisan organization primarily composed of current and former Black women legislators as well as many appointed officials. Originally established in 1985 as a national organization to increase and promote the presence of Black women in government, NOBEL/Women in recent years has expanded its vision to serve as a global voice to address a myriad of issues affecting the lives of all women.

Governor Culver said, “These are some of the most influential legislators from across the country. I welcome them to Des Moines and hope they take advantage of all Des Moines has to offer. I also want to thank Representatives Helen Miller (D-Fort Dodge) and Deborah Berry (D-Waterloo) for taking the initiative to host this prestigious organization here in Iowa.”

One highlight of the conference includes remarks by The Honorable Karen Bass, Speaker of the House, California General Assembly. Speaker Bass made history when she was elected as its 67th Speaker, catapulting a Democratic woman to the post for the first time in the state’s history. Speaker Bass also makes national history as the first African-American woman to serve in this powerful state legislative role in the country.

Representative Wayne Ford (D-Des Moines) will receive one of the organization’s National Shining Star Awards. Willie Stevenson Glanton, the first African-American woman elected to the Iowa State Legislature and the first African-American woman elected President of the Iowa Chapter of the Federal Bar Association is a State Shining Star Recipient.

NOBEL/Women’s Conference